Witnesses sought to school damage, property thefts

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to a property damage incident at the Lyneham High School and Primary School overnight in which vandals spray-painted a number of crude and offensive drawings and messages on the walls of the school buildings.

The defacing of the property, which is mostly on the walls facing toward Brigalow St and the courtyard areas of the high school, is suspected to have occurred sometime between 7pm last night (Friday, June 19) and 7.30am today (Saturday, June 20).

As the school ovals and facilities have been used for sports and recreation by members of the public in the past 24 hours, police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen any suspicious persons or activity around the schools last night or early this morning to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In separate incidents involving school property damage, in Tuggeranong three schools were burgled in succession during the early hours of this morning (Saturday, June 20). Police believe all three incidents are linked.

• Around 3.18am today, alarms were activated at Bonython Primary School where entry had been forced to the school library and computer goods stolen. The resulting theft and damage was estimated around $10,000.
• Around 3.24am, alarms were activated at MacKillop Catholic College, where there was forced entry. Around 16 computers were damaged and a number of others stolen by the intruders. Damage and theft at the school was estimated around $25,000.
• Around 4.30am, police received information that St Anthony’s Primary School in Wheeler Crescent, Waniassa, had been burgled. Computers and monitors had been damaged and several others stolen. Theft and damage at this school was estimated around $6000.

Police would urge anyone who saw or heard suspicious persons or activity around these schools in the early hours of this morning to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report via the website www.act.crimstoppers.com.au.